Tom Kim Wins Genesis Scottish Open With Rare Blade Putter

At age 24, Tom Kim claimed his fourth PGA Tour victory on Sunday, firing a stunning 64 in the final round at the Genesis Scottish Open. The South Korean’s low round propelled him past the field and earned him a spot in the winners’ circle after a three‑year drought. Kim’s win highlights a resurgence that positions him among the game’s rising stars.

The triumph carries added intrigue because Kim used a Scotty Cameron blade putter, a format that has become increasingly uncommon on the Tour. He joins Matt Fitzpatrick as the only players this season to secure a win with a blade, and Fitzpatrick already boasts three such victories. This marks just the second blade‑putter triumph for Kim in his career, underscoring his belief that blades deliver the best performance.

Kim’s putting statistics from the event reflect his precision: he finished 20th in Strokes Gained Putting with a 3.658 strokes gain, while his off‑the‑tee play ranked 9th in Strokes Gained Off the Tee at 3.079. The combination of high‑level putting and tee‑to‑green skill showcases a well‑rounded game. His early adoption of Titleist’s new GTS3 driver, swapped at the Valero Texas Open, has contributed to improved ball speed and spin consistency.

Kim also tweaked his driver’s front‑weight track during the Scottish Open, shifting the start line slightly left to a more neutral position. The GTS3 line, which earned three victories in the last six events, now has four wins in that span, reinforcing its growing popularity on Tour. Off the tee, Kim employed both a GTS3 5‑wood and a T200 2‑iron, a setup that mirrors recent trends seen with Tommy Fleetwood.

Blade Putter Rarity in PGA Tour History

Blade putters have become a niche choice in modern golf, yet Kim’s victory proves they can still produce results at the highest level. Only one other player this season has joined him on the blade‑putter win list, highlighting how few golfers trust this older design. Kim’s confidence in blades stems from multiple career successes, including his first win at the 2022 Wyndham Championship.

The mechanical advantage of a blade often lies in its simplicity and feel, which many top performers favor for short‑game control. While most Tour players now use mallets for forgiveness, Kim’s choice underscores a strategic preference for precision over margin of error. His putting performance, ranking 20th in Strokes Gained, suggests the blade’s feedback helped him execute critical putts under pressure.

Off‑the‑Tee Dominance and Driver Details

Kim’s off‑the‑tee prowess was evident as he finished 9th in Strokes Gained Off the Tee, posting a 3.079 strokes advantage. The Titleist GTS3 driver, fitted with a Fujikura Atmos Black 6‑X shaft, has become a cornerstone of his bag since a mid‑season switch. Testing revealed the driver offered more consistent spin windows and higher ball speeds, which directly feed into his tee‑shot accuracy.

Adapting the driver’s front‑weight track during the Scottish Open illustrates Kim’s meticulous approach to equipment tuning. By moving the start line leftward, he fine‑tuned the launch conditions to better suit the links environment. This adjustment, combined with the GTS3’s design, helped him navigate the challenging Scottish courses while maintaining high ball speed.

Full Club‑by‑Club Breakdown

Driver: Titleist GTS3 9.0˚
Shaft: Fujikura Atmos Black 6‑X

Titleist GTS3 Custom Driver

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA TOUR Superstore, Titleist

3‑Wood: Titleist GTS3 15.0˚
Shaft: Fujikura Atmos Black 7‑X

5‑Wood: Titleist GTS3 18.0˚
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Velocore+ 8‑X

Titleist GTS3 Custom Fairway Wood

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Utility iron: Titleist T200 18˚
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10‑X

Titleist 2025 T250•U Custom Driving Iron

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Irons: Titleist ’23 T100
Shafts: Project X 6.0

Titleist 2025 T100 Custom Irons

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Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10 (46‑52), SM9 WedgeWorks (58)
Lofts/Grinds: 46.10F, 52.12F (@ 53), WedgeWorks 58A (@ 59)
Shafts: Project X 6.0 (46), Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Onyx X100 (52‑58)

Titleist Vokey SM11 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge

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